Etsy Finds: Boyfriend in a Bottle

When I was single, my mom would give me one of those "Grow a Boyfriend" figurines every Valentines Day. Ha ha, very funny mom! I gave her a "Grow a Therapist" in return one year, and haven't received an incredible growing boyfriend since.

I think this Boyfriend in a Bottle from etsy seller Gnome Sweet Gnome is a nice alternative to the standard Grow a Boyfriend. Plus, it's got me humming that Smith's song "Girlfriend in a Coma".

Boyfriend in a bottle, I know, I know... it's serious.





PS, what's more awesome about this little dude? The boyfriend in a bottle, or the amazing packaging it comes with?


edit: The amazing folks at Gnome Sweet Gnome have offered Pommes Frites readers 15% off everything in their shop from now 'til Valentine's Day! Use coupon code at checkout: LOST15.

Seinfeld as a Drama

I love these hilarious mash ups of old Seinfeld episodes. It answers the question... what if Seinfeld was a drama?

Google Reader Round Up: January 21, 2011

A few weekend links for you, pulled from my "Starred Items" on Google Reader.

(Images via Bookshelf Porn)

I can't get enough Bookshelf Porn. The smell of libraries already makes me weak in the knees! (via Craft) (don't worry, this link is SFW)

For those of you who love the technology of an iphone but miss the vintage look of a polaroid, I direct you to Photojojo's Polaroid iPhone decal.

"Shaken, not stirred." Ever wondered what that really means? Here's how to properly stir a cocktail (via Lifehacker)

Portlandia has us crafty hipsters figured out.

How to describe your old furniture on Craigslist.

A beginner's guide to R. Kelly's Trapped in the Closet.

I've got an old cruiser that is desperately in need of these rust removal tips.

A cute idea for DIY house numbers - on the cheap, to boot.

Enter to win this candle from Catbird over on East Side Bride. If it smells as good as their jewelry looks...

Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board. (PS, I you click on one link in this whole round up, let it be it!)

DIY Sriracha Chili Sauce. YUM! (Via Craft)

Hope you all have an awesome weekend! I'll be attending a friends baby shower on Saturday, in between working on more book safes and candles for the shop. What will you be doing?

Etsy Finds: Shine On

Right now, I'm obsessed with these cool, industrial lamps from etsy seller Lamp Goods.


Vintage Canning Jar Lamp


Vintage canning jar chandelier



Exterior wall sconce

As you can tell, I'm quite partial to the ones made of old mason jars.

What are you obsessed with right now?

175 Wine Corks = Instant Bathroom Style

Image via CraftyNest

I love this DIY wine cork bath mat, inspired by a CB2 bamboo mat. Find the full tutorial over on Crafty Nest.

The whole project requires about 175 wine corks, but I'm sure you know a few winos that will help you out. Have a dinner party - or twenty.

Etsy Finds: Plaid Infinity Cowls

Speaking of buying handmade for Christmas, my Aunt and Uncle also bought handmade for my sister, mom and me. I was super impressed (and delighted) to receive this infinity scarf from etsy seller Zelma Rose.


The scarf is an adorable plaid and has a matching adorning button. it's the perfect weight for a cowl as it's not too heavy (winter-steez) to wear everyday.

Here are a few other cute items from Zelma Rose's shop that I love...


I'm also quite fond of this plaid pattern.

Double sided silhouette/fabric necklace (the modern cameo).

A Valentine's Day set that includes a cowl and necklace. She's also got a set with shoe clips.


It was so great to give and receive handmade gifts this holiday - especially from someone unexpected! Just goes to show the rising visibility of Etsy, not just to those of us that live and breathe it.

Did you receive any awesome handmade gifts this holiday?

European-Inspired Bike Love

Lately I have been dreaming about getting a new bicycle.

Not just a new-to-me bicycle, but a new-new bike. Typically, I'm an advocate of vintage bicycles. They're stylish, they're sturdy, and relatively inexpensive.

But lately, I've been falling in love with new commuter bicycles that are inspired by '40s and '50s French bikes, with a little bit of that Dutch style thrown in.

I currently have a vintage Raleigh road bike, and while I love it, I've decided to pick a ride that allows me to cruise more upright; a stylish step-through frame wouldn't hurt either, as I do like to ride in dresses, and throwing my leg over the back of a saddle is less than ladylike.

However, my conundrum with step through frames has always been finding one that is big enough. I'm a very tall lady - 5'11'' - and those "one size fits all" medium frames just don't cut it. And I'm not the biggest fan of those swoopy step through frames - they're too "beach bum" for me.



I recently spotted this beauty at a local bike shop and can't stop dreaming about it. The Linus Roadster Sport is a three speed with classic styling and brown leather accents. I'd love to pick one up in the cream color and accent it with cream colored tires and a Brooks saddle.


An example of a Linus single speed Roadster, outfitted with cream tires on
ICT Cycle Chic

However, the price point ($580) is a little scary. I'm used to throwing down $100-$125 on a vintage bike that maybe has a few issues - but nothing a little love won't take care of. Buying a new bike is exciting - there will be warranties involved, I know the history upfront, I'm purchasing a high quality item that is sure to last - but it feels a bit like buying a new car. Which I don't do.


Public M8 in Cream
I was previously looking at the Electra Ticino, but lost my love when I saw it in person. I also recently found Public Bicycles, which have the same, straight-forward design and pleasing aesthetic, with fully customizable options, but with an even higher price point.

What are your thoughts on new/vintage bikes? Any tips for me for stylish commuter bikes that won't break the bank?

Etsy Finds: Typewriter Jewelry

I love this typewriter necklace from etsy seller Renee Loughlin. In fact, Tom bought it for me as a Christmas gift and I can attest it's just as cute in person. (side note: a boyfriend that buys handmade = a million points in my book).

I've never gotten so many compliments on a necklace before, and funnily enough a lot of them come from guys. You know it's a good necklace when even dudes are commenting on it. I think it's the perfect mix of nerdy and pretty, too.


Each piece of paper inside the typewriter is different - mine looks like a page from a dictionary.

Here are a few of my other pics from her etsy shop... be sure to click the pictures for the link.


Nautical Navigator necklace, with functional telescope


This necklace has repurposed bullet casing to hold a beautiful raw quartz stone.

Puppies Wearing Hats Eating Bacon Sharing Facts

Just a little something to get your first week of the New Year started off right... Puppies Wearing Hats Eating Bacon Sharing Facts is an cute feature over on Mental Floss that combines many loves: dogs wearing clothes, bacon, and learning random facts. As they say - the dogs are real, the facts are real, but the bacon is photoshopped.


From the PWHEBSF about Washington DC


From the one about ranch dressing

Ps, think what your pooch has what it takes to wear a hat and eat photoshopped bacon? They just posted a call for submissions.

2011 Resolutions

Happy New Year y'all! It's my favorite time of year... a chance to re-collect and set the tone for the next 365 days.

Tom, myself, and my giant hair during last night's fesitivies
I could resolve to wake up early and go to the gym every day... but let's be realistic. I'm a night owl who's recently become addicted to Wii Fit. So this year, I'm setting some resolutions that I know I can meet. Resolutions are all about making yourself a better person - and mine will focus on having tons of fun, in addition to hunkering down with business goals.

So here we go...
I resolve to see more movies.
I resolve to go on more day adventures.
I resolve to set business goals and meet them monthly.
I resolve to collect and keep track of sales tax.
I resolve to finally, finally, take those dance classes and guitar lessons.


Let's see how I did with last year's resolutions.

Resolutions 2010
1. Become an Etsy featured seller!!! Done and done! It was weird to "resolve" to do this - especially because it was something out of my control. But I kept in my mind's eye, and somehow, it happened.
2. Save money & travel! I think I did this one - I definitely traveled, and I did save money - but more out of necessity!
3. Simplify & de-clutter the house! I think this will be that type of resolution that will always be on my list.
4. Have more dinner parties. Not so much.
5. Go for more walks with Max & Tom. Somewhat. We did start to go for morning walks, but stopped towards the end of the year.

Changes are on the horizon for 2011... there's a chance we may be moving to the west coast mid-year, although nothing is confirmed yet. Obviously, you will be the first to know!

So tell me... what are your resolutions this year?